WASHINGTON (PRWEB) May 06, 2014-Susan Cantrell, senior vice president and managing director for DIA Americas, will chair the panel discussion “Collaboration in R&D: What’s New for TransCelerate BioPharma?” during DIA’s 2014 50th Annual Meeting at the San Diego Convention Center from June 15 to 19.

TransCelerate BioPharma Inc. is a nonprofit organization of industry leaders that aims to simplify and accelerate the delivery of innovative medicines to patients. Launched in September 2012, TransCelerate is a collaboration of the global biopharmaceutical community focused on advancing innovation in R&D, identifying and solving common R&D challenges and further improving patient safety. The collaboration began with discussions among these pioneers about challenges facing the industry and evolved to the formation of this nonprofit, centered on five key initiatives:

Development of a model approach for risk-based site monitoring

Mutual recognition of clinical trial-site qualification and training

Development of clinical data standards

Establishment of a comparator drug network

Development of a shared site collaboration platform

“TransCelerate is a shining example of how biopharma leaders are successfully collaborating to usher in a new future for health care—a future that brings more high-quality medicines to the patients that need them,” said Barbara L. Kunz, DIA global chief executive. “This panel discussion will provide a platform for these worldwide leaders to facilitate this vital innovation.”

The June 17 panel, to be held at 8 a.m., will reveal highlights and accomplishments from the nonprofit’s original initiatives, discuss the current progress of new initiatives and describe the strategic approach to project selection. In addition to pursuing the five goals, TransCelerate launched three new initiatives this year to develop a common clinical trial protocol template, to enhance the efficiency of pediatric and minority clinical trials and to create a cross-company investigator registry.

There will also be an opportunity for audience Q&A with the panel, which includes members of TransCelerate’s Board of Directors and operations committee. Panelists include Annalisa Jenkins, chairwoman of TransCelerate’s Board of Directors and former executive vice president and head of global research and development for Merck Serono; Dalvir Gill, CEO for TransCelerate; John Hubbard, senior vice president and worldwide head of development operations for Pfizer Inc.; and Lynn Marks, senior vice president of projects, clinical platforms and sciences, for GlaxoSmithKline.

ABOUT DIA: DIA is the global connector in the life sciences product development process. Our association of more than 18,000 members builds productive relationships by bringing together regulators, innovators and influencers to exchange knowledge and collaborate in an impartial setting. DIA’s network creates unparalleled opportunities for the exchange of knowledge and has the interdisciplinary experience to prepare for future developments. DIA is an independent, nonprofit organization with its global center in Washington, D.C., USA, and regional offices covering North and South America (Horsham, Pa., USA); Europe, North Africa and the Middle East (Basel, Switzerland); and Japan (Tokyo), India (Mumbai) and China (Beijing). For more information, visit http://www.diahome.org.

ABOUT DIA’s 2014 50th ANNUAL MEETING: Celebrate the Past – Invent the Future is the largest multidisciplinary event that brings together a community of life sciences professionals at all levels and across all disciplines involved in the discovery, development and life cycle management of medical products. The meeting aims to foster innovation that will lead to the development of safe and effective medical products and therapies for patients. For more information, visit http://www.diahome.org/dia2014.